Château Margaux 1er Grand Cru Classé 1996

Lot presentation

Château Margaux 1er Grand Cru Classé 1996

The wine

Just to mention the name of Château Margaux is enough to make wine lovers tremble. This is a cru with a rare sense of clarity. In its great vintages, it combines the concentration of a Médoc with tannins of immense distinction like no other wine. It is an iron fist in a velvet glove. The nose develops aromas of violet, blackcurrant and blackberry. On the palate it is generous, smooth and completely pure. An iconic wine which should be enjoyed after aging fifteen to thirty five years in the cellar.

About the Producer Château Margaux

Owned by Edward III of England, the Albret and then the Montferrand families, the property served as a military base until 1802, when the Marquis de la Clonilla demolished the fortress to build the residence that stands there today. The architect Louis Combe is responsible for the magnificent building which adorns the Château’s bottles. Until the early 1960s, the wines were usually excellent and sometimes outstanding. As such, the legendary 1900 vintage was one of the most renowned wines of the last century. With the arrival of the Mentzelopoulos family in 1977, and thanks to the talents of Emile Peynaud, the wines have regained their premier grand cru classé quality. 1978 saw the beginning of a succession of extremely impressive vintages. Paul Pontalier who left in 2016 had worked to produce these legendary vintages. Philippe Bascaules, the new Managing Director, will do his utmost to carry on the amazing story. Château Margaux has a single block of vines, mostly planted on gravelly, sometimes clayey soil with a high proportion of limestone. Recent vintages have exceptional aging potential. The estate also produces Pavillon Blanc which is a superb, fruity and concentrated white wine.

Detailed characteristics